Absolute intraesophageal pressure at functional residual capacity in frequency.

Absolute intraesophageal pressure at functional residual capacity (FRC) has been estimated in 15 infants (age 1-30 wk) by the extrapolation of the esophageal pressure-volume relationships to zero balloon volume by use of air-filled balloons in their ranges of infinite compliance. The pressure-volume relationships of the esophageal balloons (length 3.5-5.0 cm, perimeter 1.7-2.5 cm, wall thickness 0.045-0.075 mm) were determined in air and in erect and horizontal positions under water, the behavior of the balloons placed horizontally under water closely approximated that of the balloons in vivo. The mean absolute intraesophageal pressure at FRC was -1.44 cmH2O in eight normal infants and -1.56 cmH2O in seven convalescent infants with a variety of cardiorespiratory disorders. The less negative absolute end-expiratory esophageal pressure in infants when compared with that in adults can be explained by changes in lung elastic recoil, chest wall recoil, or a combination of these factors during the development and growth of the respiratory system from birth to adulthood.